How to Fix a Wet iPod or iPhone

Apple's iPod and iPhone, like most modern electronic devices, contain extremely complex and delicate parts that are highly susceptible to water damage. If your device gets wet, water can flow between the conductive components on the circuit boards inside and cause short circuits that permanently damage it. Quick action and thorough drying are necessary to fix a wet iPhone or iPod.

Turn your iPod or iPhone off as quickly as possible after it becomes wet. The longer your device is on after it gets wet, the more likely it is to suffer severe or irreparable damage. Do not turn it on to see if it works; running power through the device can cause more damage.

Dry the iPhone or iPod as well as you can manually. Wipe it off with a towel or other cloth and shake it if necessary to remove water that may have penetrated the docking port or other openings.

Place the iPod or iPhone in a container with some form of desiccant in it. Silica gel packets such as those packaged with shoes and other leather goods work well, although dry rice can be used if no other desiccant material is available. Use a zip closure plastic bag or other sealed container to ensure that the desiccant draws water from within the phone instead of the open air.

Leave the iPhone or iPod in the desiccant container for 24 to 48 hours or longer depending on the amount of water it came in contact with. If the device was completely submerged, allow it to remain with the desiccant for up to seven days. Change the desiccant material every 24 hours.

Remove the iPod or iPhone from the desiccant container and attempt to turn it on. If no permanent damage was caused by the water, then the phone should power up and start normally.